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Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes

For 15 years, McLaren was the F1 team of choice for Mercedes-Benz, enjoying a near-works level of support and collaboration from the German automaker. But as you may recall, Daimler bought its own team three seasons ago: the outfit that started out as British American Racing, then became Honda before branching out as Brawn GP, was rebranded Mercedes GP under its latest management and now rechristened Mercedes AMG Petronas. And ever since, McLaren has had to deflect speculation that it was lookin

As far as F1 drivers go, Jenson Button is no proverbial spring chicken. He's been on the grid since the turn of the millennium, having debuted in 2000 with Williams before spending two years with Renault, seven seasons with the BAR/Honda/Brawn team and now he's in his second season with McLaren. But after winning the world championship two years back, he's currently sitting second behind Sebastian Vettel in the standings for this year's championship.

Here's what we know. According to The Press Association, reigning Formula One World Champion Jenson Button has survived an armed attack on the vehicle in which he, his father, trainer and manager were being transported back to their hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil after Saturday's qualifying session for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Button was fortunately riding in an armored vehicle provided by his team, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, that was piloted by a police driver trained in avoidance techniques.

It's not every day that you see two World Champions teamed up together – especially not the two most recent. In fact, that bit has never happened before in Formula One history, but that's exactly what we'll see next year as McLaren has announced the teaming of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton as its drivers for next season and beyond.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Last weekend's Australian Grand Prix, the season opener to the 2009 Formula One season, may have ushered in a new era in on-track competition, but the off-track politics are already back up to full swing.